"Take it easy, but take it" - Woody Guthrie

Today was an easy Thursday. Honestly after what felt like a vacation (Tuesday was an easy day and I didn't have work on Monday or Wednesday - seriously, I need more days like today!), it was nice to go back to work and do *something.*

These people "work" for the UN...

Unfortunately, we didn't have too many things in terms of actual substantial (at least for me) so I worked on one of our newer projects (which when it comes out, I'm sure I'll alert the blog) for the whole day. 

I went out for lunch with a bunch of my Canadian friends and I gotta say, there were so many of us! We've really grown into this big family and we just keep expanding. Don't ask me how, but I just keep finding Canadians everywhere. It's ridiculous. 

I kept working at my stuff, staying a bit late because I had heard *through the grape vine* that there was going to be an event with the Venezuelan Embassy for their independence day!

Creeptastic shot of my
friends

Halfway through, I went down to the Delegate's Lounge to check out the football game between France and Germany and my god, were there a lot of people slacking off for the game. It was insane. 

But I knew I couldn't just dip from work for that long so I headed back up and wrapped up a few more things before heading BACK DOWN to the Delegate's Lounge. 

I hung out with a friend in the Delegate's Lounge for a while before heading up and finding out - there's nothing there. 

Turns out the party was tomorrow. Whoops.

I was a bit sad since I originally planned to go to a Cookie Factory Open house, but it was all good since I went to the intern bar, Calicos and had some nachos and fun with some friends. 

Early night home that day. Was a good time. 

"Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds." – Regina Brett

That's all us.

HAPPY EID TO ANYONE WHO IS READING MY BLOG AND CELEBRATES IT!

Today I tried to wake up late, but it didn't work. Instead my body decided it was a good time to wake up and go to work - even though there was no work to go to.

So I got up, made myself some food to eat, got dressed and headed out to meet my friends.

We met up on the corner by Grand Central and took the MTA train and then bus.. It took us a bit over an hour to get there but it was all good. We had some great company on the train and we all sat around and talk and I think we scared some of the other people who were sitting there. It got emptier as we exited out of Manhattan and at one point it was just us chilling on the train.

We headed out and onto the bus and it was waiting right there... a bunch of our friends had ran off to buy a soccer ball. So the bus just left without some of them and as our bus turned we waved good-bye to them (We weren't being cruel, we just didn't want to wait 30 minutes for the next bus).

At the beach, the weather was B-E-A-UTIFUL! It was sunny, hot and even though it was kind of crowded (weird but I guess people are off on summer) we still got a pretty good spot for all almost 20-30 of us.

So fun!

Rockaway is where it is at. We had some food, some pop, some friends, played some football, soccer and volleyball, ran into the ice cold salt water and had some just all around good company.

Afterwards, we all headed back to Manhattan to grab some food and we all ended up going to different places and then brought our food back to Finterty's bar (where they were doing Wednesday night Trivia and it's bring your own food) where we all sat around, talked and then headed seperate ways.

I headed over to the famous Halal Guys (which is opening in Toronto soon) and as I talked to the guy, right before I left, he slipped me a bag of HALAL GUY'S SAUCE (It was just spiced mayo).

It was a pretty good day off!

All relaxing, no thinking and a perfectly calm atmosphere.

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." - Desmond Tutu

Today was a really relaxed day. For those of you who do not know, the UN gets specific holidays depending on the duty stations and the duty stations will depend on the religion and the population. So for us, we get 4th of July off, obviously, because it's an American holiday, as well as the 6th of July this year because it was Eid.

So we had two days off this week. Which makes Tuesday that one inconvenient day in between which meant that a lot of people did not show up to work today.

So it was slow. To say the least. I did a bit of work and some research. I ended up staying in for lunch to do some work and then left for work around 2pm since there was nothing really for me to do.

I decided to head down to the World Trade Centre Museum today since it is free on Tuesdays after

5pm.

Pro-tip: go online and you can get the tickets there rather than trying to show up in person.

Before I headed out, I ran into a friend who I talked to for a while before I headed out to go home and work on some other stuff.

I walked all the way down to WTC (Since I did have the time, why not?) and met up with a friend to go inside.

Before we could even get into the building, there was a lot of security and metal detectors - airport style - that every single person had to go through.

This metal detector stuff has seriously become my life... It's scary, I mean I understand why, but it sometimes gets a little frightening how far they're willing to go for security (it also creates a huge

tension between the public and security/police).

I went in with a friend to the memorial and I have to say that it is one of the most well done and beautiful places I have ever been in.

On the walls were plaques with descriptions of information about 9/11 and all around the museum, it was quite spacious and the ceilings were high, which made the room feel very big and kind of cold.

All around me were pieces of the aftermath, rebar, fire trucks, a satellite antenna, stuff everywhere.

The most beautiful and my favourite part was the artist who had taken some of the metal steel and melded it into a sign of love.

We went into another exhibit where it gave us the timed before, during and aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

It was heartbreaking.

They had breaking news clips, people's books, and the worst was the "during" where they had films

that showed the planes crashing in as well as voice recordings of the last time the people on the plane tried to call their friends and family and tell them they loved them.

There were even plans of crew members on one of the planes that knew they were being hijacked and they all planned to throw boiling water on the hijackers to get them to stop. Unfortunately, it didn't work, we heard and read about the last few moments of that crew.

The memorial was not just based on just the 9/11 attacks, they also talked about the pentagon attack on the same day as well as the attack on the World Trade Center back in the 1990s.

The section we were in also spoke about what Al-Qaeda was and how it came to be. There were experts on Islam, on the invasion of Afghanistan and the development of terrorism from there.

They also had some amazing vehicles inside, ambulances, police cars and fire trucks that were remains from the aftermath of the event.

I think one of the saddest parts was definitely the part where they talked about the aftermath - how

they tried to ID the bodies of the dead and how quite a high percentage of the remains have still not been identified. All around the actual memorial, there were photos of the missing - families who were putting up posters to try to find their loved ones. It was a quite heartbreaking thing to see.

And to think about. I could not imagine being one of the family members without closure, wondering whether or not a loved one was gone or not and holding on to that hope that maybe - just maybe, that person was still out there.

We all got kicked out around 8pm, so my friend and I took the MTA up to 34th, where Koreatown is and grabbed some dinner! It was my first time eating real Korean food and let me just say - it was good. My bowl came still sizzling to me and we got a bunch of different foods to accompany it.

Even better is that I learned that if you combine soju with beer, you can't taste it. Culinary experiences!

"The history of free men is never really written by chance but by choice; their choice!" - Dwight D. Eisenhower

193 flags...

Happy independence day (for the US anyway)!

Today was another lazy-ish kind of day where I woke up "late" around 11:30, and then started about my day. I took this morning as an opportunity to make some food for the rest of the week and I made some chicken, spinach and mushroom stirfry that I could put into wraps for the rest of the week (lunch that is healthy and easy - done).

My friend then came over and we headed over to Central Park, first stopping at Bryant Park to admire

Gearing up for Top gun

everything going on there, past the library, through the Game of Thrones store, through the Rockafeller center all the way over to Central Park.

We walked up and through the park and I showed my friend some of the stuff in there, including the performers and then met up with the big intern group that was there. I didn't know too many people there so my friends and I ended up playing some cards first before joining the big group.

It was a lot of fun, met a lot of people, socialised a lot and just hung out.

We all ended up going separate ways after a while and my friend and I decided

Snacks for everyone

to walk back down to Bryant Park and try to catch the most patriotic movie of all time, Top Gun! We sat there with our popcorn, sunglasses, all ready for the show (it wasn't even crowded which was the best part), and then it started raining.

Hard.

We ended up leaving there, getting some shelter under the library steps (which are beautiful). Another friend joined us and then we headed down over to 34th and first, where we were told we could watch the fireworks really well.

Empire State lit up

We ended up going there, along with about a thousand other people and got to see the insane amounts of fireworks and police. Seriously, so many cops around that night.

It was rainy, humid and kind of gross, but it was beautiful to try to catch and watch.

All in all, a successful fourth of July spent relaxing and with friends.

I hope that's all the forefathers can ask of me..

“Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.”

Flowers for America
day

Today I just ended up waking up extra early, made myself some breakfast and then watched some TV. It was quite a nice relaxing morning. I'm marathoning scrubs right now so that I can stop thinking and being overwhelmed by things such as events and get together that are happening everywhere and how I'm missing out on one opportunity by taking another or taking a day off yesterday.

I actually do feel really guilty taking the day off yesterday. I know I did go out and walk around and see things, but it's just frustrating because I feel like there's always something to do and I'm missing out on stuff too much. Maybe I won't take another day off until I get back to Toronto/Ottawa.

Though I think it's interesting that when we know have a finite amount of timeany time.

Drinks

and the exact amount of time, we try to do as much as possible and cram as much as possible in - as though we won't ever be going back again. I mean it's a very interesting take (and in a city like New York where there's so much to do and so much happening, I probably won't ever be going to the same New York again, even in a years' time) since our lives themselves are very finite - yet we take days off and push them off to tomorrow, next week or next year because we know we can do them

I mean I could come back to New York any time right? So why bother doing so much? I guess I'm rambling a bit but I feel like it's because I know how finite my life is, and I am well aware that anything could happen at any time. Yes I'll take a day off once every month or do something relaxing, but it makes me feel unfulfilled and like I've missed out on an opportunity. And I never want to miss out on an opportunity.

I think, that I also feel like I carry not only my own hopes and dreams but the hopes and dreams of a lot of people who may not have the same chances and the same doors opened as I do. I don't ever want
to close those doors or take those chances for granted, it feels like I'm letting them down. So when I live, I try to live for all the people around me who don't have the same chances. I have these chances and I have to take them. There are people all over the world who would probably kill (although that may destroy their chances of getting to the UN) to get the same opportunities I have and I just can't shake that off.

And I don't want to. I'm proud of being here and humbled by the support of the people who have brought me here. I will be forever grateful for the love, comfort and support everyone has given me and try to continually make sure my supporters don't regret sending me to the UN.

Happy Fourth of July!

Because they didn't just send me to the UN, they also sent me out into the world. Learning doesn't just take place at home, it also takes place outside in the world, it takes place when you talk to someone on the streets and learn about a new secret of the city, it happens when you talk to the bartender and hear about their homeland.

It happens when I'm in New York, a city full of possibilities, hopes and dreams. Yesterday was much needed, although a bit of a setback, but I think it'll be the last relaxing day I'll try to take for a while, there's a whole world out there to see (And I always check stuff out here: https://theskint.com/)

Anyway, now that I'm finished my rant (sorry everyone) let me get on with my very exciting and eventful day.

SOME of the food

I was invited to a friend's family get together and there, we helped set up for a Fourth of July party where we had all the drinks - literally all of them, all three different types of sangria, pina colada, coconut pina colada, lemonade, corona, you name it.

We drove out quite early into Queens (I'd never been before) and it was quite nice to see. It reminded me a bit of Ottawa and Toronto with all the nice houses that are only one or two stories high, not a single skyscraper, ma and pa shops, dollar stores, kids playing on the streets, and quietness.

It was actually really nice to get away from the city for once and really enjoy the outdoors experience. I loved it.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely am 100% a city girl, I love the city, I love the rush and I have the hustle. But I didn't realize I missed the small town and small city feel until I really got there. The air is fresher and that same night, I could see stars.

We helped decorate the backyard with red, white and blue, we had some balloons and it was just all in all an amazing party. We had delicious food, like BBQ chicken, salmon, beans and rice, fruit and all the works.

There was a lot of family there, and when they came, the place was lit up! There was Caribbean music playing, people were dancing, having fun and just all around enjoying themselves! It was great to see and amazing to be a part of.

I've never been so grateful and so humbled to be so welcomed into a family like that before, with such wide open arms and caring hearts - especially with such kind hearts and such genuine emotion. It was amazing.

We danced, ate, talked and enjoyed all night - so far into the night in fact, that we only got home around 7am.

"True relaxation, which would do me the world of good, does not exist for me." - Gustav Klimt

Found this in Trader Joe's

I woke up super late today - at about 11am, it was GREAT. Exactly what I needed.

I ended up lying in bed for almost an hour just checking on my notifications and just reading online. It was quite nice and relaxing.

Eventually, I got up and then started off on my usual weekend walk and walked down to the grocery store (Trader Joe's, actually, there's one opening up in Murray Hill soon!) for the first time in about three weeks... It was a great walk, it was beautiful to

walk down the street since the weather was so great and warm.

I bought some delicious frozen groceries and some really crappy sushi (I was craving it so bad) and headed back on my walk home.

Crappy sushi :)

I got home and spent the rest of the day writing my blog, eating the crappy sushi and then marathon watching Scrubs.

I know there were a lot of different things I could have done instead today, but I think I just really needed a day where I could just hang out and chill and just really catch up on this thing.

This blog has been really quite ambitious since I'm doing it day by day, which means that I've written in this blog. It's going to be really interesting reading this at the end of this.

an insane amount of stuff

Feels good to relax and do nothing sometimes - especially if you haven't had a lot of time or the ability to relax...

Plus, I know sometimes it may be stupid for me to write about days like today where I hadn't done anything or seen anyone, etc. etc. But I believe every single day in this city and this place are completely amazing and a new adventure. Something new always happens!

"I love being Canadian. I think growing up in Canada gives you a world perspective that I certainly enjoy." - Ryan Gosling

Sandwiches at work

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Yes, that's right, the best day in the world!  Today I woke up a bit tired, but I headed out, went to work and there were Canada flags everywhere and some maple cookies!

But that didn't matter, we had a lot of meetings that I had to focus on while getting through the day. I went downstairs at around lunch and grabbed some sausage and chicken jambalaya. It was probably the best soup I've ever had. It was well spiced and delicious!

Beautiful decorations

Downstairs, there were some sandwiches and other foods up for grabs so I grabbed some to enjoy. I was just working to get to home time.

Work got out early at 3pm so I went straight home, ate some food and then took a nap, for a while. I

was so darned tired. When I woke up, I had a few missed calls and messages (my alarm didn't go off properly).

My friends came over for a bit, and then we headed down to PHD rooftop lounge and bar where they were hosting a mad Canada day Party!

Canada crew

When we got there, the decorations were gorgeous and people were dressed up

in "Canadian Tuxedo (all denim)" and so many people wore it. It was hilarious seeing how much denim it is. However, many other people wore red and white as well as just hardcore suits/dresses.

It was such an amazing night. They had cardboard cutouts of famous Canadian people (drake, Body Break, David Suzuki, etc.) as well as playing a bunch of different Canadian videos on TV, like old school Don Cherry and Body Break.

They were handing out Poutine and Montreal smoked meat all night and they had Canadian, Blue, Labatt and caesars! They had all the Canadian drinks and food. And at the end of the night, they started giving out Tim Horton's timbits. It was adorable.

They played Canadian music the whole night and so much of the place just sung the music out so loudly, like Complicated, summer of '69 and so many other songs like that.

Yummy 

At one point, they actually stopped the whole room so that we could sing off O Canada. It was beautiful. Even though it was raining outside constantly (it's a mostly an indoors patio), it was still an amazing time.

When it stopped raining, there was a beautiful view of the Empire state building in RED AND WHITE.

Gosh, it was beautiful guys, I swear I shed a bit of a tear.

We left afterwards and went to a friend's house to say goodbye to almost 5 or so people who were leaving the UN and New York for a while.. It was a bit of a sad night, but good. Enjoyable.

All in all, a successful Canada Day and wonderful time with great company!

Happy Canada Day :D